Peace Support FAQ
General questions and answers on military deployments abroad
How can a military deployment abroad be compatible with Swiss neutrality?
The Federal Council and the parliament make sure that Swiss Armed Forces participate only in peace-supporting activities which coincide with the Swiss status of neutrality.
Who does such a deployment get on its way?
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs checks if such a deployment corresponds with Swiss foreign and security policy interests and / or if the area of deployment is part of a Swiss main point of development. Then the tasking goes from the Federal Council and the parliament to the Department of Defence.
Who has got command over Swiss soldiers during a peace-supporting deployment?
Swiss military observer are completely part of the mission's concept of deployment. This generally means that they are subordinate to a Chief Military Observer of any nation.
As member of the Korea mission Swiss are subordinate to the Head of Delegation. As member of a contingent Swiss are subordinate to the NCC (national contingent commander) in the rank of LtColonel. E.g. SWISSCOY is co-operating with the Austrian battalion in the framework of the pre-determined services. Equipment, supply, personnel and disciplinary matters remain under Swiss control.
The Federal Council and the parliament make sure that Swiss Armed Forces participate only in peace-supporting activities which coincide with the Swiss status of neutrality.
Who does such a deployment get on its way?
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs checks if such a deployment corresponds with Swiss foreign and security policy interests and / or if the area of deployment is part of a Swiss main point of development. Then the tasking goes from the Federal Council and the parliament to the Department of Defence.
Who has got command over Swiss soldiers during a peace-supporting deployment?
Swiss military observer are completely part of the mission's concept of deployment. This generally means that they are subordinate to a Chief Military Observer of any nation.
As member of the Korea mission Swiss are subordinate to the Head of Delegation. As member of a contingent Swiss are subordinate to the NCC (national contingent commander) in the rank of LtColonel. E.g. SWISSCOY is co-operating with the Austrian battalion in the framework of the pre-determined services. Equipment, supply, personnel and disciplinary matters remain under Swiss control.